The workshop was about: Innovative trends in computer-assisted language learning

An overhaul of English teaching is of great interest to both the Ministry of Education and Training and the whole society. Therefore, the Viet Nam – United Studies Corner, Learning Information Resource Center - University of Da Nang cooperated with the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to hold a workshop on Innovative trends in computer-assisted language learning for 55 lecturers of English, graduate students of the English language and students of English pedagogy major from the College of Foreign Language Studies, the University of Da Nang, at 13.30 on the 28th of October, 2013. On the part of the U.S. Embassy, there were Mr Duong Le, Cultural Affairs Assistant – English Language and Alumni Engagement Programs and three English teaching fellows. On the part of the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, there was Mr Nguyen Huu Luan, Cultural Affairs Assistant. On the part of the Learning Information Resource Center - University of Da Nang there were Mr Ho Thanh My and some staff.

Dr. Thomas Thibeault, English Language Learners Institute, Samford University, Alabama, the U.S., introduced to the listners Second life, a free 3D virtual world that enables Second Life users to interact with each other through avatars. Teachers of English can use this program in English teaching. Dr. Thomas and the three English teaching fellows helped the listeners to download Second life and guided them through this program. Besides, he introduced another useful online tool called Toondoo to enable teachers to add a little creativity to their lectures with comic strip and cartoon creation. With Toondoo, students can collaborate to make concrete products and share them through social network. The participants were helped by Mr. Thomas and the English teaching fellows to work on the computer and creat comic strips and cartoons.